Drones at airports need to be monitored

Recent incident heightens calls for an advanced type of air traffic control radar

Following the incident involving a drone at Heathrow Airport over the weekend, and questions around Air Traffic Control’s (ATC) current ability to track airspace in today’s busy skies, Gordon Oswald, Chief Technology Officer at Aveillant, comments on the need for a solid industry solution.

He says: “Skies are becoming more complex to monitor. With a host of different airspace vehicles now present, including drones, the capability of present day non-cooperative, regulated surveillance will not be able to keep pace with the forecast growth in the use of UAVs.

“We need surveillance capable of continuous, intelligent interrogation of the airspace that provides 100% surveillance of each target including UAVs. This requirement simply cannot be met by the radars currently in place, but is offered by our innovative 3D Holographic Radar™.

“Extending the monitoring on each and every target allows for better detection and differentiation – and this is what is seen in the application of 3D Holographic Radar™. The incident at Heathrow this year has highlighted the critical need for a modern solution capable of better surveying our airspace at all times.”

“We have been working with aviation, air traffic control industry professionals and experts for many years. Our radar is now commercially available and being implemented across the UK with further discussions underway with many airports and ANSPs across Europe. We’re looking forward to seeing wider adoption of our solution, helping to keep our airspace safe.”